Topic: Question about lettuce

[bestofour]

I usually keep a little lettuce bed growing in a shady area.  It's small, just enough to eat.  I throw out seeds and the lettuce comes up.  I've always used bib lettuce and it takes about a month for it to get big enough to eat.  This last time I put out some other type (can't remember what) and it's putting out flowers.  Some of the leaves are sort of red and the flowers are right at the top of a middle stalk.  The bib lettuce doesn't even have a stalk.  Any ideas what is going on?

[Dianna]

Sounds like your lettuce is bolting, Sheri. That happens when the weather is too hot for it. Lettuce is a cool weather crop from what I have read...

Second paragraph of the link should answer your questions about it...

[bestofour]

your right about it being a cool weather crop but I've never had a problem with it in this shady area.  I was out there tonight and I'm thinking that the road work has moved things around and now that shady spot is getting a little more sun.  The bib lettuce is still ok.

Thanks for the info.

[bestofour]

I got 2 different types of lettuce seeds and am going to plant in the same area again.  It's just a small spot and I'll put in new soil.  We'll see what happens.

[Bonnie]

I planted it in a window box and some hanging baskets last year and it done great.

[bestofour]

I've got window boxes.  That's a great idea.